I am pleased to introduce myself on this website as one of the volunteers, participating in the program for Dejana. I am Marijke Janssens, one of the neighbours, and by now four years involved, originally in the Sonrise-program, and now in the Brain-Train program, that we execute, under the guidance of Branka and Richard. My main motivation to participate was then - when Dejana was in her autistic phase - to give her the experience, that there are in the 'outside' world people, who love her and who make it worthwhile for her to enter that outside world. Quash her loneliness, as I think that is the worst, that can happen to a person. That goal has been amply accomplished, Dejana looks in our eyes, laughs, recognises us, hardly retires into herself and comes to me, when I come in. It really went as hoped: attention, acceptation and love, I gained a new girlfriend and after the exercises we always go out of the house for 45 minutes. Being out and about is important and healthy, but also less demanding and a time for just the two of us and we both enjoy it. We look at the flowers in the garden, play in the the playground on the slide, the seesaw and the big revolving disc, and we gaze at the pigeons, ducks and seagulls. All this, while enjoying a slice of fruit, a bag of raisins, and singing songs; and then all of a sudden we feel like running, running, running.
Of course I am also very committed to contribute to her learning program , as I can see it adds to her quality of life, when her capabilities grow. You can see she likes very much being handed new things and she now is very proud to be pottytrained , enjoys rocking and being swung around, is interested in smelling and tasting and recognises the pictures we teach her. I noticed, that Deja likes it very much when I mention things in a singing manner, or sing a song for her, so I do that often. Frequently, in her own way, she will start singing later, not words, but sounds.Her hearing is better than her seeing, and her legs are stronger than her arms; she knows I would like very much for her to look better at things and to get stronger arms. Sometimes you see triumph in her eyes, when she successfully hangs in the rings and she listens better and better, when I tell her to look, clearly satisfied about her understanding me and proud of the success,And so I am happy about the steps forward. That calls for celebration, so we went already twice to Artis, the Amsterdam Zoo and my next wish is to go with her to the Efteling, a fairytale themepark in the south of the country.
Another goal I strive for, is a form of communication with her. My thoughts go to a better use of the PC, or in the end learning to use the words 'yes' and 'no'. Eyecontact, laughing together, experiencing she understands what you mean or ask, provides a lot of contact, but to know better what she wants and communicating about that is a step I hope I will witness one day. I am quite confident about this, as she regularly uses the PC or buttons to indicate her wishes. What definitely needs mentioning on this webpage, is my admiration and respect for Richard and Branka. Their endless energy, trust, perseverance and continual looking for new possibilities encourages the team of volunteers; thanks to them Deja is by now a little girl who is quite often joyful and happy. That is the main driver to stay committed to the road we go, together with Richard and Branka, to optimally develop Deja's talents.To finish off, here a wee poem from the Flemish poet Herman de Coninck, because it is called 'P' and Deja one word knows very well, and that is 'Piθ' and also because I see Richard and Deja in it :
Wakker door kinderen, meedogenloos blij
op mijn buik. Zijn die allemaal van mij?
Weer zo'n dag waar niets anders mee te doen
valt dan hem te beginnen,
grommend, en met een dochter waar niets
anders mee te doen valt dan beminnen.
Kusje, vraag ik, en het plezier wat ze erin heeft
om dicht tegen mijn wang en heel snel terug-
trekkend 'p' te zeggen, verrukt kijkend
naar het ontploffinkje wat dat geeft,
verzoent me met niet langer dromen:
vijf vingertjes rond mijn wijs-
vinger, om tot mezelf, of toch
tot bij haar po, te komen
Amsterdam, september 2004
